Physics

CONTACT INFORMATION:  I would like to use this opportunity to welcome you back to school and to this class. Since I have so few chances to meet and talk to your parents, I would like them to know that they should always feel free to contact me if they have any questions through the year.  I look forward to seeing and meeting them (not just at parent-teacher conferences). My voice mail number is: (303)982-6455. My email address is: louie.king@jeffcoschools.us (preferable) . 

THE COURSE: CP Physics is a trigonometry-based first year high school physics course. It is used for elective science credit in high school and is designed to provide an introductory  background in physics for the college bound science major.  Topics covered in the course include:    Kinematics (uniform & accelerated motion), Newtonian Mechanics, Circular Motion & Gravity, Work & Energy, Momentum, Simple Harmonic Motion, Waves & Sound, Light, Electricity, and Magnetism.

On the average, plan on having some homework in Physics about every other class day.  Often class time will be used to start the assigned homework with completion due at the beginning of the next class period.  Much of the material is introduced with a hands on laboratory activity followed by a presentation of concepts by the instructor.  Guided classroom practice with the equations and models is also provided before the student is tasked with solving problems and applying the associated concepts.

TEXTBOOK:  Textbooks are provided and checked out to the student at the beginning of the first semester.

BEHAVIOR: Please be aware of your actions and their impact on your learning, classmates, and your teacher’s mental health.  Make mature decisions and take responsibility for your actions and I can treat you more as an adult.   Please understand, as stated on the main page, that you are NOT to bring any electronic devices to class unless the teacher requests it for an upcoming activity.  This includes Chromebooks, laptops, cell phones, radios, headphones, IWATCHES, IPODS, CD players, and record players!  Toys, food, candy, and drinks, are also not permitted.

Our class will adhere to the CHS LOBO Honor Code at all times.  You are responsible for knowing the code, its purpose, and its consequences.  Honesty, integrity, respect, and responsibility will be rewarded and will help you to prepare for your life as an adult.  Violations of the LOBO Honor Code will result in actions as spelled out in the document.

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ATTENDANCE:  It is necessary for you to be here each day, on time, for two reasons.  Your participation in this class is not only important to your education, but to your classmates as well. You, and your classmates, will learn more if you attend.  Secondly, you are learning much of the world of work, real-life skills such as attendance and punctuality are learned by students who come to school each day and commit themselves to their studies and time schedules.

If you must be tardy, please try to bring a pass from the teacher of your last class.  If you have to leave class after it begins, you may leave by signing out in the log book.  Since my bosses encourage me to limit the number of students in the halls, please try not to leave class regularly and return promptly if you do.  Please be on time.

If you have to be absent, you should have your absence excused by the attendance office then see me. If your absence is excused, you will be allowed 1 class block for each time you're absent to get your makeup work in as per school district policy.  For example, if you were gone on Monday, the due date would be Friday. If you were unexpectedly absent on Monday and Wednesday, your makeup work would be due the next Wednesday.  

If the make-up work is late, it is immediately worth 1/2 the total possible points.  This amounts to a failing grade, but is far better than a "0".  For each week the assignment is late, 1/2 the previous week's points will be given.  If your absence is unexcused, you will receive a "0" for any work turned in late.  This score will allow you to get credit for the work done, but will seriously affect your grade. ALL ASSIGNMENTS must be turned in by the end of the marking period. I know you can complete all assignments so get all work in on time!

If you miss a test, you should take a make-up test within a week of your absence.  It is in your best interest to take it as soon as is possible, but if more time is needed, have your parents contact me.  If you have problems with tardies or absences, the classroom expectations will become less flexible.  I am required by law to keep track of your attendance and need to know where you are while you are in my class.

GRADING: Grading is done on a straight-scale according to the following table:

100-90   89-80   79-70   69-60    

     A                    B             C               D

60% of your overall grade will be from your average test scores and 40% from homework.  

If you are not satisfied with your numerical grade, you are welcome to do extra-credit work.  Extra labs, problem sets, reading, book reports, essays, films, decorations and art work, and reports are all accepted as long as they pertain to the class you are taking. Try to do extra credit that will help you on the next test.  That way you get more bang for your buck. Material must be written in your own words and references are required for your work to be considered for extra credit.  Extra credit will only be counted once all regular classroom work is completed.  Extra credit can help you if you are a few points from a higher grade and allows a way to reward motivation, ambition, desire, and hard work.  It is recorded but not calculated on the computer and more information is posted on my website.

One thing that will help you to be successful in this class is your ability to organize.  Please keep a notebook (or folder, or binder) for this class.  It should contain your class notes, quizzes, papers, handouts, and old graded assignments. You should be rewarded for quality, hard work so keep careful track of your grades.  Your grade is your responsibility!

COMMUNICATION:  I realize that you are occasionally under a lot of stress and feel like you have the weight of the entire world on your shoulders.  If you are having personal problems or are involved in many activities and need time to sort them out, you may see me before or after school.  We can sometimes work out a deal on a homework extension.  If you feel uncomfortable doing this, have your mother or father contact me.

I hope you learn a lot in our class!          Mr. King